Coded aperture snapshot spectral imager and method therefor

ABSTRACT

The present invention enables snap-shot spectral imaging of a scene at high image generation rates. Light from the scene is processed through an optical system that comprises a coded-aperture. The optical system projects a plurality of images, each characterized by only one of a plurality of spectral components, onto a photodetector array. The plurality of images is interspersed on the photodetector array, but no photodetector receives light characterized by more than one of the plurality of spectral components. As a result, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes the scene is simplified. The present invention, therefore, enables rapid spectral imaging of the scene.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This case claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/167,335, filed Apr. 7, 2009, which is incorporated by reference.

If there are any contradictions or inconsistencies in language betweenthis application and one or more of the cases that have beenincorporated by reference that might affect the interpretation of theclaims in this case, the claims in this case should be interpreted to beconsistent with the language in this case.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to imaging in general, and, moreparticularly, to spectral imaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spectral imaging is a technique for generating a spatial map of thewavelength variations of light from a scene. It has found use in manyapplications, such as environmental sensing, military and civiliansurveillance, homeland security, military target discrimination,astrophysics, metrology, and biomedical imaging.

The spatial map generated using spectral imaging is often referred to asa spatio-spectral datacube. Such a datacube comprises a dataset ofpixels (referred to as “voxels”), each which is characterized by atwo-dimensional spatial coordinate and a spectral coordinate. Typically,a spatio-spectral datacube is developed for several wavelengths (a.k.a.,spectral components) of interest.

Several techniques for spectral imaging have been developed, includingtomographic imaging, pushbroom imaging, and snap-shot imaging.

Tomographic spectral imaging develops a datacube by sequentially formingimages at each of a several wavelengths. Typically, a dispersiveelement, such as a prism or diffraction grating, is rotated through aseries of positions to spread the spectral components at a plurality ofdirections onto the photodetector array. At each position, thephotodetector array generates a spatial map of the overlapped spatialand spectral voxels of a scene. A processor then compiles all of theindividual spatial-spectral maps into a spectral datacube.

The optical efficiency of a tomographic imager is typically quite high;therefore, such imagers are useful in low-light applications.Unfortunately, tomographic spectral imagers are very slow since eachimage must be acquired while the scene is substantially static. Further,the geometry of such systems normally limits the range of angles overwhich the dispersive element can be rotated and, therefore, the numberof spectral components that can be included in the datacube.

Pushbroom spectral imagers (and related techniques such as whisk broomimagers and tunable filter imagers) develop a datacube by capturing aone- or two-dimensional subset of the datacube and then temporallyscanning to obtain the remaining dimension(s). Such imagers typicallyrequire high light input and have very poor signal-to-noise ratios.Further, such imagers are not particularly applicable for imagingnon-static scenes.

A number of snap-shot imagers have been developed to overcome many ofthe limitations of tomographic and temporally scanned imagers. Asnap-shot imager provides all of the information of the data cube to aphotodetector array at one time; however, the information is multiplexedover the array of photodetectors. One such conventional snap-shotimager, often referred to as a “coded-aperture snap-shot imager(CASSI),” employs a coded aperture and one or more dispersive elementsto modulate the multi-spectral optical field received from a scene. In aCASSI system, a photodetector array receives the modulated optical fieldas a single two-dimensional projection of the scene, where each pixel ofthe photodetector array measures light of one of the plurality ofspatial-spectral components of the datacube. The manner in which themultiple projections are multiplexed is dependent upon the design of thecoded aperture and the relative position of the coded aperture and thedispersive elements.

While a snap-shot imager acquires all of the desired spectralinformation of a scene simultaneously, the unraveling (i.e.,demultiplexing) the multiple projections to assemble the datacube can bequite computationally complex. As a result, spectral image computationtime can be time-consuming. This limits the operation rate for suchspectral imagers, which precludes their use in many high-speed imagingapplications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention enables a spectral imager without some of thecosts and disadvantages of the prior art. Embodiments of the presentinvention are particularly well suited for applications in security,environmental, biological, metrology, and military applications.

In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present inventionprocesses light from a scene to provide a spatio-spectral map (i.e., aspectral image) of the scene. The light, which comprises a plurality ofspectral components, is processed through an optical system thatincludes a sparse-coded aperture having a plurality of transmissiveregions. The optical system provides a plurality of images of the sceneon a detector image plane. These images are interspersed on the detectorimage plane, and each of the images is characterized by only one of theplurality of spectral components. A photodetector array is located atthe detector image plane and each photodetector in the array receiveslight that has only one of the plurality of spectral components. Asresult, computation of the spatio-spectral datacube that describes thescene is relatively simple as compared to that required in prior-artspectral imagers. The present invention, therefore, enables rapidspectral imaging of the scene.

In some embodiments, the sparse-coded aperture comprises a plurality offields, each comprising a plurality of equally spaced regions. In eachfield, less than 50% of the regions are transmissive and greater than50% is non-transmissive. In some embodiments, the spacing of thetransmissive regions within each field enables each spectral componentpassed through each transmissive field to be incident on a differentphotodetector of the photodetector array.

In some embodiments, the sparse-coded aperture comprises a plurality offields of regions. Each field comprises n rows of regions and n columnsof regions, where n is the number of spectral components of interest inthe light from the scene. Each row of regions includes one region thatis transmissive and (n−1) regions that are non-transmissive. Further notwo transmissive regions in the coded aperture are contiguous.

In some embodiments, the sparse-coded aperture is imaged onto the imageplane through a disperser. The disperser spatially disperses thespectral components transmitted by each of the plurality of transmissiveregions of the coded aperture. These spectral components are dispersedalong a first dimension on the detector image plane, where each spectralcomponent is received by a different photodetector. The first dimensionis substantially aligned with the rows of the sparse-coded aperture.Collectively, each spectral component from all of the transmissiveregions of the plurality of transmissive regions forms an imagecharacterized by that spectral component. The plurality of spectralcomponents from all of the transmissive regions, therefore, form aplurality of images of the scene that are interspersed and dispersedalong the first dimension on the detector image plane.

In some embodiments, the scene is imaged onto the sparse-coded aperturethrough a first disperser. The first disperser spatially disperses thespectral components of the scene along a first dimension at the codedaperture, wherein the first dimension is substantially aligned with therows of the coded aperture. Each of the transmissive regions selectivelytransmits one spectral component for each of several spatial locations,based upon the position of the transmissive region on the mask. Eachtransmissive region within each field of the coded aperture transmits adifferent one of the plurality of spectral components. Collectively,therefore, all of the transmissive regions within each field of thecoded aperture transmit the plurality of spectral components. The codedaperture is imaged onto the detector image plane through a seconddisperser that removes the dispersion introduced by the first disperser.

In some embodiments, the scene is imaged onto a first sparse-codedaperture, which is imaged onto a second sparse-coded aperture through afirst disperser. As a result, the spectral components from eachtransmissive region of the first coded aperture are spatially dispersedalong a first dimension on the second coded aperture, wherein the firstdimension is substantially aligned with the rows of the first and secondcoded apertures. The second coded aperture “combs” the dispersedspectral components from the first coded aperture to create very narrowchannel widths for each spectral component. Finally, the second codedaperture is imaged onto the detector image plane through a seconddisperser. The second disperser removes some, but not all, of thedispersion introduced by the first disperser.

In some embodiments, a plurality of lenses, such as a lenslet array, isused to image a first image plane (e.g., a sparse-coded aperture) onto asecond image plane (e.g., the detector image plane). Each of theplurality of lenses images a different area of the first image plane.Such embodiments mitigate the challenges of lens design associated withlarge aperture lenses and allow for more compact optical systems. As aresult, these embodiments can further reduce the complexity, cost, andvolume of spectral imagers.

The illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises aspectral imager comprising: (1) an optical system comprising (i) animaging element that receives light from a scene, wherein the lightcomprises a plurality of spectral components, and wherein the imagingelement images the scene onto a first coded aperture located at a firstimage plane, and (ii) the first coded aperture; wherein the opticalsystem provides a plurality of images of the scene on a second imageplane, and wherein each of the plurality of images is uniquelycharacterized by a different one of the plurality of spectralcomponents, and further wherein the plurality of images are interspersedat the second image plane; and (2) a photodetector array located at thesecond image plane, wherein the photodetector array receives theplurality of images, and wherein each photodetector of the photodetectorarray receives light that is characterized by only one of the pluralityof spectral components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts a schematic diagram of a portion of a snap-shot spectralimager in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 1B depicts a portion of a coded aperture in accordance with theprior art.

FIG. 2A depicts a schematic diagram of a snap-shot spectral imager inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B depicts a portion of a sparse-coded aperture in accordance withthe illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C depicts a portion of photodetector array 114 in accordance withthe illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts operations of a method for spectrally imaging a scene inaccordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts details of optical system 202 in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts sub-operations of operation 302 in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts details of an optical system in accordance with a firstalternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts sub-operations of operation 302 suitable for spectrallyimaging a scene in accordance with the first alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts details of an optical system in accordance with a secondalternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts sub-operations of operation 302 suitable for spectrallyimaging a scene in accordance with the second alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following terms are defined for use in this Specification, includingthe appended claims:

-   -   Plurality of spectral components is defined as those spectral        components of interest for the development of a datacube. In        some cases, light might include additional spectral components        beyond those pertinent to the development of the datacube. These        additional spectral components are disregarded, vis-à-vis the        use of the term “plurality of spectral components.”    -   Transmissive is defined as substantially transparent for the        plurality of spectral components. For example, a transmissive        region passes light characterized by any of the plurality of        spectral components without significant attenuation.    -   Non-transmissive is defined as substantially opaque for the        plurality of spectral components.

FIG. 1A depicts a schematic diagram of a portion of a snap-shot spectralimager in accordance with the prior art. Imager 100 comprises lens 106,disperser 108, coded aperture 110, disperser 112, and photodetectorarray 114.

Imager 100 projects projections, g, of scene 102 onto detector imageplane 116 according to the formulag=Σh_(ijk)f_(ijk),  (1)where h_(ijk) represents the projection performed by coded aperture 110,f_(ijk) represents voxels that collectively compose the spatio-spectraldatacube for scene 102, and i and j are the spatial positions of eachvoxel, while k is wavelength.

In typical operation, lens 106 receives light 104 from scene 102.Typically, lens 106 is a bulk-optic refractive lens, although in someprior-art systems a different imaging element, such as a diffractive orholographic lens, spherical mirror, parabolic mirror, or otherreflective optical element is used to collect light 104. Light 104comprises a plurality of spectral components having five spectralcomponents.

Lens 106 images scene 102 onto coded aperture 110 through disperser 108.Disperser 108 disperses the spectral components in light 104 along onedimension (e.g., the y direction) of coded aperture 110.

Disperser 108 is a conventional dispersive element or optical systemthat comprises a transmissive or reflective element such as a prism,diffraction grating, hologram, and the like. In some cases, such adisperser might include relay optics.

FIG. 1B depicts a portion of a coded aperture in accordance with theprior art. Coded aperture 110 is representative of a conventional codedaperture having a coded matrix used in spectral imaging applications.White regions of aperture 110 are transmissive and black regions arenon-transmissive. In some cases, black regions represent areas of theaperture that are completely opaque.

Coded aperture 110 is then imaged onto detector image plane 116 throughdisperser 112. Disperser 112 is analogous to disperser 108.

When aperture 110 is imaged, the spectral information at each spatiallocation is encoded with a properly shifted version of the code h_(ijk)of the aperture. Disperser 112 removes the dispersion introduced bydisperser 108 and a plurality of projections is multiplexed ontodetector image plane 116.

Photodetector array 114 is located at detector image plane 116 such thatthe projections are imaged onto its photodetectors. As a result, some orall of the photodetectors receive light from multiple projectionssimultaneously.

Processor 118 receives electrical signals 120 from photodetector array114. Processor 118 employs an estimation algorithm to infer thespatio-spectral information for scene 102 from the multiplexedprojections. The performance of imager 100 depends primarily on thedesign of the coding pattern for aperture 110 and the inferencealgorithms used by processor 118 to decode the output of photodetector114.

Since multiple projections are simultaneously multiplexed onto thephotodetectors of photodetector array 114, computation of thespatio-spectral datacube from the output of photodetector array 114 canbe quite complex. As a result, although signal acquisition time is shortfor a snap-shot imager, spectral image computation time can severelylimit the operation rate for prior art spectral imagers. Some or all ofthe advantages inherent to a snap-shot imager, therefore, are negated.

FIG. 2A depicts a schematic diagram of a snap-shot spectral imager inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.Imager 200 comprises optical system 202, which comprises sparse-codedaperture 204, and photodetector array 114. Imager 200 is suitable fordeveloping a spectral datacube of scene 102.

FIG. 2B depicts a portion of a sparse-coded aperture in accordance withthe illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Sparse-codedaperture 204 (hereinafter referred to as aperture 204) comprises atwo-dimensional array of fields 206. FIG. 2B depicts only some of fields206 (i.e., fields 206-1,1 through 206-3,4). The number and arrangementof fields 206 in aperture 204 is sufficient to ensure that an image ofscene 102 can be fully formed within the confines of aperture 204.

Each of fields 206 includes an n×n array of equal size regions, where nis the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectralcomponents of the spectral datacube to be developed for scene 102. Forthe illustrative embodiment, each of fields 206 comprises 5 rows ofregions and 5 columns of regions. Each row comprises one transmissiveregion 208 and 4 non-transmissive regions 210. The regions of field 206within each field 206 are arranged such that no two transmissive regions208 are contiguous within the field. Further, the plurality of fields206 within aperture 204 is arranged such that no two transmissiveregions 208 are contiguous within aperture 204. Although theillustrative embodiment comprises an optical system suitable fordeveloping a spectral datacube having five spectral components, it willbe clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this specification,how to make, use, and specify alternative embodiments of the presentinvention that are suitable for developing spectral datacubes comprisingany number of spectral components.

It should be noted that the size and shape of each of the regions thatcompose the fields of aperture 204 is optical design dependent and/orapplication dependent. Although the illustrative embodiment depictsregions 208 and 210 as being square, one skilled in the art willrecognize, after reading this disclosure, that any suitable shape can beused for these regions.

Optical system 202 induces a spatial dispersion along a first dimensionon the plurality of spectral components transmitted through the opticalsystem. In the illustrative embodiment, the first dimension issubstantially aligned with the rows of fields 206. In some embodiments,the first dimension is aligned with the columns of fields 206.

FIG. 3 depicts operations of a method for spectrally imaging a scene inaccordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention.Method 300 begins with operation 301, wherein optical system 202receives light 104 is received from scene 102. As described above, andwith respect to FIG. 1A, light 104 comprises a plurality of spectralcomponents having five spectral components.

At operation 302, optical system 202 projects a plurality of images ofscene 102 onto detector image plane 116, wherein each projected image isuniquely characterized by a different one of the spectral components oflight 104. For the purposes of this specification, including theappended claims, the phrase “uniquely characterized by a different oneof the plurality of spectral components” is defined as having lightcharacterized by only one spectral component of the plurality ofspectral components. In some cases, an image or light signal that isuniquely characterized by one of the plurality of spectral componentsmight comprise light characterized by a spectral component that is NOTone of the plurality of spectral components (for example, lightcharacterized by spectral component of a different dispersion order).

The projected images of scene 102 are interspersed on detector imageplane 116; however, no image pixels of multiple projected images arecoincident on the same photodetector (i.e., the projected images are notmultiplexed on the detector image plane).

At operation 303, the projected plurality of images is received by thephotodetectors of photodetector array 114, which is located at detectorimage plane 116. It is an aspect of the present invention that nophotodetector of photodetector array 114 receives more than one spectralcomponent of the plurality of spectral components.

FIG. 2C depicts a portion of photodetector array 114 in accordance withthe illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Each ofphotodetectors 212-1,1 through 212-2,6 receives one of five spectralcomponents from one of four object pixels (i.e., pixels A, B, C, and D)within scene 102. The spectral components from each pixel aredistributed in contiguous fashion along a row of photodetectors. Forexample, photodetectors 212-1,1 through 212-1-5 receive spectralcomponents 1 through 5, respectively, from object pixel A. In similarfashion, photodetectors 212-2,6 through 212-2,10 receive spectralcomponents 1 through 5, respectively, from object pixel D.

At operation 304, processor 118 receives electrical signals 120 fromphotodetector 114. Using only electrical signals corresponding to thesame spectral component, processor 118 can easily compute an image forthe spectral content of scene 102 at that spectral component. Forexample, selecting the electrical signals from photodetectors 212-1,2,212-1,7, 212-2,2, and 212-2,7, an image at spectral component 2 can becomputed for the image portion that comprises object pixels A, B, C, andD. In this manner, processor 118 can easily and rapidly compute acomplete spatio-spectral datacube for scene 102.

Because each photodetector of photodetector array 114 provides anelectrical signal that is uniquely identified with one of the pluralityof spectral components, the processing required of processor 118 tocompute the spatio-spectral datacube is greatly simplified as comparedto snap-shot spectral imaging systems in the prior art. This enablesimager 200 to operate at a higher image capture rate than conventionalspectral imagers. As a result, imager 200 enables spectral imagingapplications that were beyond the capabilities of spectral imagingsystems in the prior art.

FIG. 4 depicts details of optical system 202 in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention. Optical system 202comprises lens 106, sparse-coded aperture 204, and disperser 408.

FIG. 5 depicts sub-operations of operation 302 in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the present invention.

At sub-operation 501, an imaging element (i.e., refractive lens 106)receives light 104 from scene 102 and images scene 102 onto intermediateimage plane 402 as multispectral image 404. Aperture 204 is located atintermediate image plane 402. Although the illustrative comprisesimaging elements that are refractive lenses, it will be clear to oneskilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to specify,make, and use alternative embodiments of the present invention whereinone or more imaging elements are other than refractive lenses. Imagingelement suitable for use in embodiments of the present inventioninclude, without limitation, diffractive lenses, holographic lenses,reflective lenses, and the like.

At sub-operation 502, aperture 204 spatially filters multispectral image404 and transmits sub-images 406-1 through 406-m (collectively referredto as sub-images 406) through transmissive regions 208. Each ofsub-images 406 is spatially correlated with scene 102.

At sub-operation 503, aperture 204 is imaged onto detector image plane116 through disperser 408. Disperser 408 is a dispersive relay lens thatcomprises diffraction grating 412 and lenses 410 and 414. Diffractiongrating 412 and lenses 410 and 414 collectively define a relay lens thatintroduces dispersion on each of sub-images 406. As described above, andwith respect to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, inducing dispersion in opticalsystem 202 spatially separates the spectral components of lighttransmitted through the optical system. For example, in the illustrativeembodiment, aperture 204 is imaged through disperser 408 to dispersesthe spectral components of each of sub-images 406. This providespixilated spectral components 416-1 through 416-m (collectively referredto as pixilated spectral components 416). Pixilated spectral components416 are dispersed along a first dimension on detector image plane 116 toform a plurality of pixilated spectral components. The first dimensionis substantially aligned with the rows of regions within aperture 204.As discussed above, and with respect to FIG. 2A, no two pixilatedspectral components are incident on the same photodetector ofphotodetector array 118.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments of the present invention, adisperser might comprise an element other than a diffraction grating.Suitable dispersive elements include, without limitation, holograms,diffraction gratings, and the like. It should also be noted that asuitable dispersive element might be transmissive or reflective,depending on the design of the optical system in which the disperser isincluded.

In the illustrative embodiment, the sparse-coded aperture comprisesfields in which each row of each field has a ratio of transmissiveregions to non-transmissive regions that is 1/(n−1), wherein n is thenumber of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components.After reading this specification, however, it will be clear to oneskilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of thepresent invention wherein a sparse-coded aperture comprises fieldswherein the ratio of transmissive to non-transmissive fields is otherthan 1/(n−1). It is an aspect of the present invention that, in someembodiments, the sparse-coded aperture has transmissive regions that aresufficiently separated from one another to enable all of the spectralcomponents in light transmitted through optical system 202 to bespatially dispersed onto different photodetectors of photodetector array118, without multiplexing any two or more pixilated spectral componentsonto a single photodetector.

FIG. 6 depicts details of an optical system in accordance with a firstalternative embodiment of the present invention. Optical system 600comprises lens 106, disperser 412-1, coded aperture 204, and dispersiverelay lens 604. Optical system 600 is an alternative to optical system202.

FIG. 7 depicts sub-operations of operation 302 suitable for spectrallyimaging a scene in accordance with the first alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

At sub-operation 701, lens 106 receives light 104 from scene 102 andimages scene 102 through disperser 412-1 onto intermediate image plane402. Disperser 412-1 introduces a lateral shift, based on wavelength, ofscene 102 along a first dimension on intermediate image plane 402. Foreach of the plurality of spectral components of light 104, therefore, animage 602 is projected onto intermediate image plane 402. Images 602-1through 602-5 (collectively referred to as images 602), are uniquelycharacterized by spectral components 1 through 5, respectively, and aredispersed in multiplexed fashion along the first dimension.

At sub-operation 702, aperture 204 receives images 602. Aperture 204 islocated at intermediate image plane 402 such that the rows within fields206 are substantially aligned with the first dimension. As discussedabove, and with respect to FIG. 2B, each field 206 contains five rows ofregions having five regions per row (where five is the number ofspectral channels in the plurality of spectral channels of interest forthe illustrative embodiment). Each row has one transmissive region 208and the position of the transmission region 208 within each row isdifferent for each of the five rows. As a result, each of the fields 206selectively transmits only one spectral component from each objectpixel. Collectively, therefore, aperture 204 (i.e., fields 206)spectrally filters images 602.

At sub-operation 703, aperture 204 is imaged through dispersive relaylens 604 onto detector image plane 116. Dispersive relay lens 604removes the dispersion introduced by disperser 412-1 so that compositeimage 612 is projected onto detector image plane 116 such that image 612is spatially correlated with scene 102. Image 612 comprises a pluralityof spectrally diverse images that are interspersed, but not multiplexed,on detector image plane 114.

Dispersive relay lens 604 comprises diffraction grating 412-2, andlenslet arrays 606 and 608.

Each of lenslet arrays 606 and 608 comprises a plurality of lenslets610. Each corresponding pair of lenslets 610 in lenslet arrays 606 and608 images a different area of aperture 402. These areas are imaged inparallel in non-interfering fashion. Advantages of using a lenslet arrayinstead of a bulk optic lens include:

-   -   i. reduced focal length that enables a shorter overall path        length; or    -   ii. lower system cost; or    -   iii. reduce optical system weight; or    -   iv. reduced fabrication cost; or    -   v. any combination of i, ii, iii, and iv.

One skilled in the art will recognize, after reading this disclosure,that each bulk optic lens, from the first intermediate image plane tothe detector image plane, in any embodiment of the present invention canbe replaced by a lenslet array.

FIG. 8 depicts details of an optical system in accordance with a secondalternative embodiment of the present invention. Optical system 800comprises lens 106, coded apertures 204-1 and 204-2, and dispersiverelay lenses 604 and 806. Optical system 800 is an alternative tooptical system 202.

FIG. 9 depicts sub-operations of operation 302 suitable for spectrallyimaging a scene in accordance with the second alternative embodiment ofthe present invention.

At sub-operation 901, lens 106 receives light 104 from scene 102 andimages scene 102 onto intermediate image plane 402 as multispectralimage 404. Aperture 204-1 is located at intermediate image plane 402such that the rows of fields 206-1 are substantially aligned with afirst dimension on intermediate image plane 402.

At sub-operation 902, aperture 204-1 spatially filters multispectralimage 404 and transmits sub-images 406-1 through 406-m in a manneranalogous to the operation of the front end of optical system 202. Eachof sub-images 406 is spatially correlated with scene 102.

At sub-operation 903, aperture 204-1 is imaged through dispersive relaylens 604 onto intermediate image plane 802. As a result, pixilatedspectral components 416-1 through 416-m are dispersed along the firstdimension on intermediate image plane 802.

At sub-operation 904, aperture 204-2 receives pixilated spectralcomponents 416. Aperture 204-2 is located at intermediate image plane802 such that the rows of fields 206-2 are aligned with the firstdimension. Each of apertures 204-1 and 204-2 is of the same design asaperture 204, described above and with respect to FIG. 2B. The periodicstructure of aperture 204-2 “combs” the light received at intermediateimage plane 802 and passes the combed signals as spectral components804. Aperture 204-2 acts as a spatio-spectral filter for pixilatedspectral components 416 and creates very sharp spectral widths forspectral components 804. Each of the transmissive regions of aperture204-2 passes one pixilated spectral component from each of severalsub-images 406.

At sub-operation 905, aperture 204-2 is imaged through dispersive relaylens 806 onto detector image plane 116. Dispersive relay lens 806 isanalogous to dispersive relay lens 604; however, disperser 808 isselected to have less dispersion than disperser 412-2. As a result,dispersive relay lens 806 is less dispersive than dispersive relay lens604. Dispersive relay lens 806, therefore, removes most, but not all, ofthe dispersion introduced by dispersive relay lens 604.

Optical system 800 enables selective measurement of a subset of theplurality of spectral bands at periodic spatial locations in twodimensions. In operation, optical system 800 maps the subset of theplurality of spectral components from an object pixel onto adjacentphotodetectors of photodetector array 118. As a result, spectrallynon-contiguous spectral components from a given object pixel aremeasured at adjacent photodetectors. As discussed above, and withrespect to FIG. 2A, no two pixilated spectral components are incident onthe same photodetector of photodetector array 118.

In order to enable the simultaneous measurement of the full spectrum ofa plurality of object pixels, the spectral images of scene 102 aresampled with a sampling structure having a periodic structure. Theperiodicity of the sampling structure is based on the spectral span ofthe plurality of spectral components of interest.

In some embodiments, multiple stages of dispersive optics and codedmasks are cascaded to extend the capabilities of optical system 800.

It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example ofthe illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the inventioncan easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading thisdisclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A spectral imager comprising: (1) an optical system comprising; (i) an imaging element that receives light from a scene, wherein the light comprises a plurality of spectral components, and wherein the imaging element images the scene onto a first coded aperture located at a first image plane; and (ii) the first coded aperture, wherein the first coded aperture has an aperture pattern, and wherein the aperture pattern is based on the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components; wherein the optical system provides a plurality of images of the scene on a second image plane, and wherein each of the plurality of images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and further wherein the plurality of images are interspersed on the second image plane; and (2) a photodetector array located at the second image plane, wherein the photodetector array receives the plurality of images, and wherein each photodetector of the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 2. The imager of claim 1 wherein the first coded aperture comprises an array of fields, and wherein each field comprises a two-dimensional array of equal-sized regions, and wherein the number of regions in each row is equal to or greater than the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, and further wherein each row has only one region that is transmissive.
 3. The imager of claim 1 wherein the first coded aperture comprises an array of fields, and wherein each field has n rows and n columns of regions, where n is the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, and wherein each row comprises 1 transmissive region and (n−1) non-transmissive regions, and further wherein no two transmissive regions within the first coded aperture are contiguous.
 4. The imager of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises a disperser that receives a plurality of sub-images of the scene from the first coded aperture, wherein the disperser disperses the spectral components of each sub-image onto the second image plane, and wherein the plurality of images are based on the dispersed spectral components of the plurality of sub-images.
 5. The imager of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises: a first disperser, wherein the imaging element images the scene onto the first image plane through the first disperser, and wherein the first disperser disperses the plurality of spectral components with a first dispersion along a first dimension on the first image plane; and a second disperser that receives a plurality of sub-images from the first coded aperture, and wherein each sub-image received from each field of the first coded aperture is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and further wherein the second disperser removes the first dispersion along the first dimension on the second image plane.
 6. The imager of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises: a first disperser, wherein the first disperser receives a plurality of sub-images of the scene from the first coded aperture, and wherein the first disperser disperses the spectral components of each sub-image along a first dimension on a third image plane; a second coded aperture located at the third image plane; and a second disperser; wherein the third image plane is imaged onto the second image plane through the second disperser, and wherein the second disperser reduces the dispersion of the spectral components of each sub-image along the first dimension on the second image plane.
 7. The imager of claim 6 wherein the optical system further comprises: a first plurality of imaging elements, wherein each of the first plurality of imaging elements images a different one of a first plurality of areas of the first coded aperture onto the third image plane; and a second plurality of imaging elements, wherein each of the second plurality of imaging elements images a different one of a second plurality of areas of the second coded aperture onto the second image plane.
 8. The imager of claim 1 wherein the optical system further comprises: a first plurality of imaging elements, wherein each of the first plurality of imaging elements images a different one of a first plurality of areas of the first coded aperture onto the second image plane.
 9. A method for providing a spectral image of a scene, wherein the method comprises: (1) projecting a plurality of first images of the scene onto a first image plane, wherein the plurality of first images is based on light from the scene that comprises a plurality of spectral components, and wherein each of the plurality of first images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and further wherein the plurality of first images are interspersed on the first image plane, the plurality of first images being formed by operations comprising; (i) imaging the scene onto a first coded aperture located at a second image plane, the first coded aperture haying an aperture pattern that is based on the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, wherein the first coded aperture transmits a plurality of sub-images of the scene, and wherein each of the plurality of sub-images comprises the plurality of spectral components; and (ii) imaging the first coded aperture onto the first image plane through a first disperser that disperses the spectral components of each of the plurality of sub-images along a first dimension on the first image plane; and (2) receiving the plurality of first images at a photodetector array that is located at the first image plane, wherein each photodetector in the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first coded aperture is provided such that the aperture pattern comprises an array of fields, and wherein each field has n rows of regions aligned with the first dimension and n columns of regions aligned with a second dimension, where n is the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, and wherein each row comprises 1 transmissive region and (n−1) non-transmissive regions, and further wherein no two transmissive regions within the coded aperture are contiguous.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the first coded aperture is imaged onto the first image plane by a plurality of imaging elements, and wherein each of the plurality of imaging elements images a different area of the coded aperture onto the first image plane.
 12. A method for providing a spectral image of a scene, the method comprising: (1) projecting a plurality of first images of the scene onto a first image plane, wherein the plurality of first images is based on light from the scene that comprises a plurality of spectral components, and wherein each of the plurality of first images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and further wherein the plurality of first images are interspersed on the first image plane, the plurality of first images being formed by operations comprising; (i) providing a first coded aperture that has an aperture pattern, wherein the aperture pattern is based on the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components; (ii) imaging the scene onto the first coded aperture, wherein the first coded aperture is located at a second image plane, and wherein the scene is imaged onto the first coded aperture through a first disperser that induces a first dispersion along a first dimension; (iii) transmitting the imaged scene through the first coded aperture; and (iv) imaging the first coded aperture onto the first image plane, wherein the first coded aperture is imaged through a second disperser, and wherein the second disperser removes the induced first dispersion; and (2) receiving the plurality of first images at a photodetector array that is located at the first image plane, wherein each photodetector in the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 13. A method for providing a spectral image of a scene, the method comprising: (1) projecting a plurality of first images of the scene onto a first image plane, wherein the plurality of first images is based on light from the scene that comprises a plurality of spectral components, and wherein each of the plurality of first images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and further wherein the plurality of first images are interspersed on the first image plane, the plurality of first images being formed by operations comprising; (i) providing a first coded aperture that has an aperture pattern, wherein the aperture pattern is based on the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components; (ii) imaging the scene onto a first coded aperture, wherein the first coded aperture is located at a second image plane; (iii) imaging the first coded aperture onto a second coded aperture located at a third image plane, wherein the first coded aperture is imaged onto the second coded aperture through first disperser that induces a first dispersion along a first dimension; and (iv) imaging the second coded aperture onto the first image plane, wherein the second coded aperture is imaged onto the first image plane through a second disperser, and wherein the second disperser is less dispersive than the first disperser; and (2) receiving the plurality of first images at a photodetector array that is located at the first image plane, wherein each photodetector in the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first coded aperture is imaged onto the second coded aperture by a first plurality of imaging elements, and wherein each of the first plurality of imaging elements images a different area of the first coded aperture at the second coded aperture, and wherein the second coded aperture is imaged onto the first image plane by a second plurality of imaging elements, and further wherein each of the second plurality of imaging elements images a different area of the second coded aperture onto the first image plane.
 15. A method for providing a spectral image of a scene, wherein the method comprises: providing a coded aperture, wherein the coded aperture comprises an array of fields, and wherein each field has n rows of regions aligned with a first dimension and n columns of regions, where n is the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, and wherein each row comprises 1 transmissive region and (n−1) non-transmissive regions, and further wherein no two transmissive region within the coded aperture are contiguous; forming a first image of the scene on the coded aperture, wherein the first image is based on light from the scene that comprises a plurality of spectral components; imaging the coded aperture through a disperser to form a plurality of second images on a first image plane, wherein each of the plurality of second images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and wherein the plurality of second images are dispersed along the first dimension on the first image plane, and further wherein the plurality of second images are interspersed on the first image plane; and receiving the plurality of second images at a photodetector array that is located at a second image plane, wherein each photodetector in the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the coded aperture is imaged onto the first image plane by a plurality of imaging elements, and wherein each of the plurality of imaging elements images a different area of the coded aperture onto the first image plane.
 17. A method for collecting spatio-spectral information from a scene, wherein the method comprises: providing a coded aperture, wherein the coded aperture comprises an array of fields, and wherein each field has n rows of regions aligned with a first dimension and n columns of regions, where n is the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, and wherein each row comprises 1 transmissive region and (n−1) non-transmissive regions, and further wherein no two transmissive region within the coded aperture are contiguous; forming a first image of the scene at a coded aperture, wherein the first image is based on light from the scene that comprises a plurality of spectral components, and wherein the first image is formed through a first disperser that induces a first spectral dispersion on the first image; forming a plurality of second images at a first image plane by imaging the coded aperture onto the first image plane through a second disperser, wherein the second disperser removes the first dispersion; and receiving the plurality of second images at a photodetector array located at the first image plane, wherein each of the plurality of second images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and wherein the plurality of second images are interspersed, and further wherein each photodetector of the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 18. A method for collecting spatio-spectral information from a scene, wherein the method comprises: providing a first coded aperture and a second coded aperture, wherein each of the first coded aperture and second coded aperture comprises an array of fields, and wherein each field has n rows of regions aligned with a first dimension and n columns of regions, where n is the number of spectral components in the plurality of spectral components, and wherein each row comprises 1 transmissive region and (n−1) non-transmissive regions, and further wherein no two transmissive region within each of the first coded aperture and second coded aperture are contiguous; forming a first image of the scene on the first coded aperture, wherein the first image is based on light from the scene that comprises a plurality of spectral components; forming a second image of the first coded aperture on the second coded aperture, wherein the second image is formed through a first disperser that is characterized by a first dispersion; forming a plurality of third images on a first image plane by imaging the second coded aperture onto the first image plane through a second disperser that is characterized by a second dispersion that is less than the first dispersion; and receiving the plurality of third images at a photodetector array located at the first image plane, wherein each of the plurality of third images is uniquely characterized by a different one of the plurality of spectral components, and wherein the plurality of third images are interspersed, and further wherein each photodetector of the photodetector array receives light that is characterized by only one of the plurality of spectral components.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the second coded aperture is imaged onto the first image plane by a first plurality of imaging elements, and wherein each of the first plurality of imaging elements images a different area of the second coded aperture onto the first image plane.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the first coded aperture is imaged onto the second coded aperture by a second plurality of imaging elements, and wherein each of the second plurality of imaging elements images a different area of the first coded aperture at the second coded aperture. 